With water levels at the local reservoir falling and rain unlikely in the near future, local officials are encouraging citizens to employ voluntary conservation efforts.
At a news conference Wednesday, J.W. "Bill" Brent, Albemarle County Service Authority Director reported that the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir is at 68.2 percent capacity. The reservoir level is sinking at an average of .2 percent per day. When water levels reach 65 percent, the reservoir will drop to dangerously low levels.
Authorities at the conference suggested using watering cans rather than hoses to water plants, restricting sprinkler use to morning and evening hours and refraining from washing cars. Officials also encourage citizens to curb their personal water consumption.
"Everyone needs to be conscious of brushing your teeth, washing your hands, taking a shower," Brent said.
Brandishing a toilet seat at Wednesday's news conference, Brent attributed most daily household water consumption to toilets.
"If we're going to have any meaningful reduction in water use, it's gonna start at the toilet," Brent said. "It's contrary to what we've always taught our kids [but] maybe it's not necessary to flush it every time."
Approximately half of Albemarle County's households rely on the public water system that relies on the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir. The remainder of county residents uses private wells or taps central systems served by wells. These groups would not be affected by the public water authority's mandatory controls if they become necessary.
While mandatory water consumption controls have not been enacted in this area since 1977, officials urge citizens to take the falling reservoir levels seriously.
"There's a water quality consideration because as the [water level] drops, we have to chlorinate it more and we can't remove all of the tastes and odors," University Environmental Science Professor George Hornberger said.
Beyond the quality issue, low water levels along the tributaries that feed into the reservoir can lead to mudslides.
"When the inflow is less than the outflow, the reservoir level drops. Whenever water level drops, you expose more and more of the banks," said Hornberger. "There's not much in the way of vegetation and what you expose is basically muddy areas."
If water levels fall below 65 percent, county officials may institute mandatory controls on water use. Under these restrictions, washing cars and using sprinklers is prohibited. Residential watering of lawns and plants is restricted to one three gallon bucket of water daily. Failure to comply is punishable by a fine.
Water-saving kits are being provided for Charlottesville residents with homes not already equipped with water-saving devices. These include low-flow showerheads, hose repair kits and faucet aerators.
Kits are available at the utility billing office in City Hall, and at the public works building at 305 Fourth St. Northwest.
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